Ambenge v Republic [2023] KEHC 25469 (KLR)

Ambenge v Republic (Criminal Revision E191 of 2022) [2023] KEHC 25469 (KLR) (14 November 2023) (Ruling)

Neutral citation: [2023] KEHC 25469 (KLR)

Republic of Kenya

In the High Court at Mombasa

Criminal Revision E191 of 2022

A. Ong’injo, J

November 14, 2023

Between

Samwel Abwova Ambenge

Applicant

and

Republic

Respondent

Ruling

1. The applicant Samwel Abwova Ambenge seeks that the life sentence passed against him be revised on account of the holding in Machakos High Court Petition No. E017 of 2021.

2. Following the holding in Julius Kitsao Manyeso v Republic, the Court of Appeal in Malindi Criminal Appeal No 12 of 2021 that declared the imposition of a mandatory life sentence as unconstitutional, an unjustifiable discrimination, unfair and repugnant to the principle of equality before the law under article 27 of the Constitution and it is also inhuman treatment and violates the right to dignity under article 28. This court therefore sets aside the life imprisonment and substitutes it with 25 years imprisonment from the date of conviction

DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED IN OPEN COURT/ONLINE THROUGH MS TEAMS THIS 14TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2023HON. LADY JUSTICE A. ONG’INJOJUDGEIn the presence of: -Ogwel- Court AssistantMr. Ngiri for RespondentApplicant present in personHON. LADY JUSTICE A. ONG’INJOJUDGE